Member Article

Festive fundraiser gives gift of community spirit

Miller Homes has been spreading festive cheer in Teesside as it supported St. Mary’s Church’s annual ‘Festival of Christmas Trees’ recently.

The leading housebuilder donated a decorated Christmas tree that was displayed during the fundraising weekend and which was later auctioned to the highest bidder while Miller also made a charitable donation to the event.

Hosted at the West Acklam church, the Festival of Christmas Trees saw 49 festive foliages displayed throughout St. Mary’s Church and raised over £1,000 for the church and local charity, Zoe’s Place.

Karl Morton, associate sales director of Miller Homes North East, which launched its latest Middlesbrough development, St Mary’s Green in Acklam this summer, said: “We were thrilled to support this year’s Festival of Christmas Trees and we’re delighted the church has received so many great contributions which will help it continue to offer its services to the local community as well as supporting Zoe’s Place.

“Since we launched St Mary’s Green we have enjoyed getting to know to the Acklam community, and we understand how integral St. Mary’s Church is to it.

“Not only has the Festival of Christmas Trees brought people closer together and raised people’s spirits, it’s also helped raise the profile, and much needed funds, for two very worthwhile causes.”

The weekend event kicked off on Saturday with guest BBC Tees presenter Alex Hall welcoming the public, followed by joyful music from Green Lane Primary School Choir and performances from the St. Mary’s Church Youth and Drama Group and the Church Choir.

The traditional Sunday service took place as usual over the weekend with the congregation sitting amongst the dazzling display of Christmas trees, which then was followed by a special Christmas service to end the merry fundraising weekend in style.

Reverend John Hearn of St. Mary’s Church added: “We are extremely grateful to Miller Homes and the people of Acklam and its surrounding areas for their generous donations.

“This is the third year we have hosted the Festival of Christmas Trees and we were so pleased with another fantastic turnout.

“We have a great community in Acklam, but it is times like this when it shows just how tight-knit it really is.”

Zoe’s Place, based in Middlesbrough, is a registered charity and hospice that provides palliative, respite and end-of-life care to babies and infants and, along with the Liverpool branch, is the only baby specific hospices in the UK.

Launched in July 2013, St Mary’s Green in Acklam is a popular development of 32 prestigious new family homes. With prices starting from £251,950, St Mary’s Green currently offers a selection of spacious four-bedroom homes including The Esk, The Glenmuir, The Buchan, The Crompton and The Stevenson, and the five-bedroom Shakespeare. Homebuyers can explore the development’s four-bedroom Crompton view homes and five-bedroom Jura showhome.

For further information on St Mary’s Green in Acklam call 0808 250 6967 or visit www.millerhomes.co.uk/Developments/North-East/St-Marys-Green.aspx.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Miller Homes .